Odell Beckham Jr. has signed with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, the team announced Wednesday, giving the 33-year-old wide receiver a new home less than two weeks after the New York Giants released him.
The move reunites Beckham with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, who served as Beckham's offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season. That connection appears to have been a factor in Minnesota's decision to bring him aboard as the team sits at 4-0.
Beckham's second stint with the Giants ended on Sept. 29. He had signed back with the franchise that drafted him in 2014, but his return produced almost nothing on the field. In three games, Beckham recorded zero receptions and was on the field for a total of 20 offensive snaps. Only six of those snaps came in his final appearance with the team, a 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans in Game 3.
The lack of production made his release unsurprising, but it still marked a stark turn for a player who once ranked among the NFL's most electric pass catchers. Beckham rose to stardom with the Giants after being selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, becoming one of the league's most recognizable offensive players during his early seasons in New York.
Now he joins a Vikings team that has opened the season with four straight wins and is preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota's decision to add Beckham comes as the status of All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains uncertain. Jefferson missed Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins with an ankle sprain, leaving questions about the depth and health of the team's receiving corps.
Beckham's arrival on the practice squad does not guarantee he will appear in a game, but it gives Minnesota an experienced option if Jefferson's recovery extends beyond Week 5 or if the team needs additional depth at the position. Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster on a temporary basis, a mechanism that allows teams to manage injuries without making a full roster commitment.
For Beckham, the signing represents another attempt to extend a career that has included stops with the Giants, Cleveland Browns, Rams and Baltimore Ravens. His time in Los Angeles under O'Connell included a Super Bowl run during the 2021 season, though Beckham suffered a knee injury during that championship game.
The Vikings have not indicated how quickly Beckham might be ready to contribute, and the team has not announced any corresponding roster move. Minnesota's 4-0 start has been powered by a balanced offense, but Jefferson's absence would test the team's ability to stretch defenses if it continues.
Beckham's signing also adds a layer of intrigue to the Vikings' upcoming schedule. A return to game action would put him back on an NFL field for the first time since his brief and unproductive stretch with the Giants this season. Whether that happens in New Orleans or later remains to be seen.
The Vikings' Week 5 game against the Saints will be the first opportunity for the team to evaluate how Beckham fits into its plans. For now, the move is a low-risk addition for Minnesota and a fresh start for a veteran receiver whose recent production has been limited by injuries and reduced playing time.